Ewens Ponds Conservation Park

Ewens Ponds is also a unique spring fed system only it does not have the deep chasm or cave, as does Piccaninnie Ponds. It is a series of 3 shallow basin shaped ponds. They are approximately 10 metres deep and are all connected by shallow channels. The clarity of the water enables plants to grow underwater to a depth of about 6 metres, some of these plants are not found growing fully submerged underwater anywhere else. The amount of water flowing from the springs is greater than at Piccaninnie Ponds. While it cannot be felt in the ponds when snorkelling through the channels, the current will carry you along. You will glide along on top of the 1 to 1.5 metre deep channel and float past dense stands of plants while coming face to face with a variety of fish. The tiny, rare Ewens Pygmy Perch is found hiding in the cover of the reeds in these channels. When in the ponds, look for the tell-tale bubbling limestone sand that indicates where the ground water is rising from the bottom. At night or on a cloudy day freshwater cray fish are seen scuttling along the pond’s floor scavenging for food, while the small native fish, the Pygmy Perch and galaxids, prefer to hover just below the surface. All plants and animals are protected and must not be disturbed.